I think Canterbury are just following the new trend. Wigan officials came out to OZ and interviewed half a dozen candidates before they picked Maguire. They also gave Maguire free rein to pick his physio/conditioner and support staff. I think this is why some clubs now look at every application instead of just picking the most famous name off the top. They want to see what sort of coaching team the applicant is going to put together and how much the whole package will cost.

Also in NRL, there's no stigma in being an Assistant Coach, like in SL where it seems to mean "coach's alcoholic brother-in-law" or "Club owner's unemployable son-in-law." Someone like Shaun Wane would never be dismissed as "just an assistant."

We are putting together a few bits and bobs as a tribute to JM and would like to see if anyone wants to add to it. If you'd like to publish your thoughts and thanks to 'Morgs', please email me at: editor@hkrawaydays.co.uk and with your article, and a picture of yourself if you wish, and we'll put it on for you. Cheers.

Australia assistant coach Peter Gentle has thrown his hat into the ring to take over as coach at Hull Kingston Rovers next season.

The Robins confirmed this week that Justin Morgan would be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign, after a successful six-year spell in charge.

Gentle, 42, is currently number two to Tim Sheens at both Wests Tigers and for the Australian nayional side. Although not well-known in this country, his pedigree is high-quality and he was reportedly a contender for the job at Salford City Reds.

“Peter is a quality coach and he definitely wants to coach in Super League,” Gentle’s agent, David Howes, told the Hull Daily Mail.

“Peter has done the hard yards to get to being assistant to Tim for Australia and Wests Tigers.

“He has served his six-year apprenticeship in the NRL, just like Michael Maguire and Stephen Kearney.

“Compared to the other coaches who have been mentioned so far, Peter’s CV is much better.

“At the minute coaches are all applying for the same jobs.”

Gentle was a half-back in his playing days for Western Suburbs in 1986 and for St George Dragons from 1987 to 1989. His coaching career began at Cronulla Sharks in 2004, before he joined Balmain Tigers in 2006.

He was named as the Kangaroos’ assistant coach in 2009, and helped guide them to Four Nations success in England.

(08-05-2011 02:48 PM)CPWigan Wrote: Australia assistant coach Peter Gentle has thrown his hat into the ring to take over as coach at Hull Kingston Rovers next season.

The Robins confirmed this week that Justin Morgan would be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign, after a successful six-year spell in charge.

Gentle, 42, is currently number two to Tim Sheens at both Wests Tigers and for the Australian nayional side. Although not well-known in this country, his pedigree is high-quality and he was reportedly a contender for the job at Salford City Reds.

“Peter is a quality coach and he definitely wants to coach in Super League,” Gentle’s agent, David Howes, told the Hull Daily Mail.

“Peter has done the hard yards to get to being assistant to Tim for Australia and Wests Tigers.

“He has served his six-year apprenticeship in the NRL, just like Michael Maguire and Stephen Kearney.

“Compared to the other coaches who have been mentioned so far, Peter’s CV is much better.

“At the minute coaches are all applying for the same jobs.”

Gentle was a half-back in his playing days for Western Suburbs in 1986 and for St George Dragons from 1987 to 1989. His coaching career began at Cronulla Sharks in 2004, before he joined Balmain Tigers in 2006.

He was named as the Kangaroos’ assistant coach in 2009, and helped guide them to Four Nations success in England.